Expect McCown to be under duress

Ravens will come hard at Bears backup QB on 3rd down

November 16, 2013|Matt Bowen | Scouting the Bears

The Bears and Josh McCown have to expect extreme pressure from the Ravens defense in third-down situations. That means multiple fronts, overload concepts and creative looks that put stress on both the quarterback and the protection scheme.

As shown here, the Bears have their Posse personnel on the field (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) in a Doubles Slot alignment with wide receiver Brandon Marshall (H) in the slot. The Ravens counter with their 2-4-5 nickel sub package and send zone pressure to the closed (strong) side of the formation. The Ravens will rush five, drop six and challenge McCown to make a play on the "follow" route.

Disguising pressure

The Ravens will disguise their fronts to create confusion at the line of scrimmage out of multiple personnel groupings. This is a complex defensive scheme that will force the Bears to account for edge pressure and avoid underneath zone defenders dropping directly into throwing lanes. Yes, the Ravens will play coverage on third downs also (think 2-Man), but at the core of this game plan are exotic pressure packages that attack the pocket and test the offense's ability to beat the blitz.

Breaking down zone blitz

At the line of scrimmage, the Ravens will show overload pressure to the open (weak) side of the formation with linebackers Terrell Suggs (W) and Elvis Dumervil (S) in blitz alignments over rookie right tackle Jordan Mills. However, the pressure is coming from the closed side with Lardarius Webb (N) rushing off the edge from his slot alignment and rookie inside linebacker Arthur Brown (IB) blitzing to the B gap. This creates a five-man pressure scheme for the Ravens and forces running back Matt Forte (R) to slide in scan protection to account for Webb on the edge.

3-deep, 3-under zone coverage

The coverage aspect of this blitz is no different than what we see from the Bears in their zone pressures with a three-deep, three-under shell. Rookie strong safety Matt Elam (SS) and Suggs play the "seam-flat" technique (match to No. 2) to the closed and open sides of the formation with linebacker Daryl Smith (IB) dropping to the "middle-hook" (match to No. 3). In the back end, both cornerbacks play No. 1 with free safety James Ihedigbo in the deep middle of the field.

'Follow' route

The "follow" route (or "H Post") is an inside combination that shows up across the league. Tight end Martellus Bennett (Y) is on the shallow drive route (underneath crosser) and Marshall is on the angle route. Marshall will stem (or sell) his initial release to the flat and then work back inside to create leverage versus Elam on the angle route. This is the primary read for McCown (inside high to low read), however, the quarterback can look up Alshon Jeffery (Z) on the deep curl route versus cornerback Jimmy Smith (RC). Another option within the route scheme gives Jeffery the opportunity to push the cornerback vertically up the field and use his size to create separation at the break point.

All eyes on McCown

The challenge for McCown versus this blitz scheme is to identify the pressure and find the windows that allow the quarterback to make a clean, high-percentage throw on third down. The veteran backup has done an excellent job this season filling in for the injured Jay Cutler, protecting the football and executing Marc Trestman's playbook. That has to continue against a defense that will look to create turnovers and attack the pocket. This is a good test for McCown and the Bears offense.

Twitter @MattBowen41

Special contributor Matt Bowen spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety. He covers the NFL for Bleacher Report.